If you're looking to build in Greenville, be ready for some new rules. The city has given its approval to a housing ordinance that affects new home construction.

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The ordinance was put together by a 15-member task force made up of developers, realtors, homeowners and architects.

The goal, according to Mike Dey with the Greenville Homebuilders Association is to maintain a neighborhood’s character while promoting development.

Dey said home-building in Greenville has tripled from where it has historically been over the last couple of years.

“What's happening here is really extraordinary. It's really a renaissance almost of our city,” said Dey.

Bob Bainbridge was part of the task force. He is president of the North Main Community Association and has lived there nearly 30 years.

He said he has seen the community grow and change, but not always for the better.

“It’s was a balancing act. Some of the projects were not sensitive to the neighborhood setting. We don't want to see the kind of houses with no grass and no yards and our trees in our beautiful existing neighborhood,” said Bainbridge.

North Main Community is known for its tree canopy. New rules would help preserve that, by requiring one canopy tree to be planted for every 3000 square feet of property.

The ordinance also put restrictions on the height of homes, placement of driveways, parking and storm water retention.

Developers were initially concerned some of the restrictions would make people think twice about building.

Dey said if city leaders start to see that happening they will reassess.

“What we didn't want to do was make changes that might stop what's going on, because what's happening in the city of Greenville is both extraordinary and fantastic,” said Dey.

The ordinance has to pass two more readings before it goes into effect. If approved the new rules could be in place sometime this fall.